Norco, CA - One of Norco College's alumni from the Rising Scholars Program has earned a Fulbright Fellowship after serving 15 years in prison. Mr. Kenneth Butler graduated from Norco College's program at the California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) last Spring '21. He earned two degrees: Associate Degree for Transfer in Sociology and an Associate of Arts in Social & Behavioral Studies. He then transferred to Pitzer College for his Bachelor of Arts degree in Organization Studies.

Pitzer College released an announcement last Wednesday. Here is the link: Pitzer Senior Kenneth Butler '22 Earns Fulbright Fellowship to Uganda after Serving 15 Years in Prison

Norco College is elated for Mr. Butler and congratulates him on this prestigious honor. Dr. Jason Parks, Dean of Instruction remarked, "Feels like so long ago we were just starting to offer a few classes over at CRC and look what the program has grown into! " Norco College's President Monica Green stated, "Fantastic news! Mr. Kenneth Butler is truly inspiring."

Mr. Butler is proof why Norco College's partnerships between the CRC and institutions like Pitzer is so incredibly important to our society. In the words of Dr. Quinton Bemiller, Dean of Instruction, "This is extraordinary! We need this story to be shared far and wide." Norco College encourages all readers to go out and share this wonderful news. Mr. Butler was also accepted into the Master's of Public Administration program at Cal Poly Pomona, which he will begin after his Fulbright year. Best wishes to Mr. Butler on his travels to Uganda as a cultural ambassador for the United States, and his graduate program of study at Cal Poly Pomona.

About the Norco College Rising Scholars Program:
The Norco College Rising Scholars Program is geared to reduce recidivism rates by preparing students to join the workforce and contribute to the economic health of communities, while reducing unemployment and crime rates. Currently, 83 percent of individuals released from state prisons in the US return within nine years. A recent analysis by RAND showed that participation in prison education at any level reduces recidivism by 43 percent.

About Norco College's Partnership with Pitzer College:
Pitzer's program relies on a partnership with Norco College, which prepares incarcerated students at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco with the coursework they need to transfer to Pitzer College with junior standing. For more information contact Juan Alvarez, Associate Dean, Educational Partnerships at (951) 372-7039 by email at Juan.Alvarez@norcocollege.edu.